Speedlight or Flash Diffusers and Softboxes

Kill the Harshness of Flash By Adding a Diffuser or Softbox

Speedlight or Flash Diffusers and Softboxes – Ever since my professional digital camera kit became larger and heavier, I have been looking for a portable accessory such as this to hopefully replace my studio lighting kit when shooting weddings, people or properties. After natural light, diffused light from a softbox is my favourite.

Note: Click any image on this page to buy from B & H stores. Flick through all 26 products to find a compatible system for your particular speedlight

Now whilst it is virtually impossible to replace two powerful studio flash heads with a single speedlight, I have come pretty close with the new system from Harbor Digital Design (below).

What I needed was something that would give the same flattering, diffused effect as a large softbox without compromising the power of my speedlights for which I would use it. (I use Canon’s EX580 and EX580 II although they have kits to fit most modern speedlight systems).

I would primarily use these for weddings as I come across many situations where flash is needed but I absolutely hate direct flash with a vengeance.

So…something simple, light and effective that I can simply plonk on my flashgun or speedlight quickly and with the knowledge that it will work.

I was lucky enough to stumble across Harbor Digital Designs advert for exactly what I was looking for earlier this year.

Their unique system comprises of many accessories for the following speedlights:

Canon

Nikon

Olympus

Pentax

Sigma

Sunpak

Minolta

Vivitar

Sony

Metz

Contax

299

SB-25

FL-40

AF500-FTZ

EF-500 DG

200-DZ

5200 I

273

HVL-F1000

40-MZ2

FLA- 380

380

SB-26

FL50

266-D

5400 HS

2500

54-MZ3

550EX

SB50-DX

G40

5000 AF

5400 XI

3500

54-MZ4

580EX

SB80-DX

FL-36

MZ440AF

850 AF

44-AF

580EX II

SB800-DX

283

SB-24

5600

These accessories include (amongst others) the following;

You can either buy each accessory individually or as a whole package as in the Pro Kit which is what I bought.

I wanted to test these in full before writing this review and promoting the company so for the last 8 or so weddings of this season, I tried the kit out…the results were excellent!

Note: The main thing to point out here is that with any diffuser system you will need to adjust the power output to allow for the slight loss of light due to the diffusion.

Think about it, rather than a powerful discharge of intense flashlight, the light is being softened and “spread out” by the softbox or diffuser. To easily account for this, just increase the flash exposure compensation by 1, 2 or 3 stops depending on how close you are to your subject.

What you get is a much more evenly spread and flattering fall of light on your subject. To make things even nicer, I bounce (when possible), the light from a ceiling or wall which enhances the effect.

The system does have a sensor shield for the softbox/lightbox which will prevent the light from hitting the speedlights sensor. This will prevent cut off and give full power back to the discharge. A nice touch if you want full control over the lighting.

As a further test, I was recently asked to shoot 8 villa interiors as a matter of urgency. Normally, I would set up two or three studio lights for each room and then have to lug them around the house as I shot each room individually. This would take hours for each property.

What I did recently was to try out this new speedlight lighting system in these villas…wow! Not only did I finish the shoot in record time (about 6 times as quick), the effect was as close to using studio lights as I could have wanted.

Speedlight or Flash Diffusers and Softboxes

The large softbox attachment when aimed directly at the ceiling produced enough power to bounce the flash light up and down as well as throwing “fill in” light from its luminescent sides.

The wedding images below were also taken using parts of this system. When you are in an indoor environment with little or no natural/useful lighting, rather than using harsh direct flash, this system proved to be worth its weight in gold.

Speedlight or Flash Diffusers and Softboxes

If you are looking for decent, well made and well thought out speedlight or flash diffusers and softboxes, check out the Harbor Digital Design products at B & H for the best prices by clicking any image on this page or go here.

Note: Click any image on this page to buy from B & H stores. Flick through all 26 products to find a compatible system for your particular speedlight

Speedlight or Flash Diffusers and Softboxes was last modified: August 4th, 2014 by Nick